More good news for the Dodge Challenger team…Challenger has been named the Best in Class Ideal Vehicle in the Sporty Car Segment by AutoPacific. According the the firm, an Ideal Vehicle award is given to a vehicle that fully fulfills the desires of the buyer. AutoPacific asked owners to indicate their desire to change their vehicle in 15 different categories ranging from power and acceleration to safety features and storage. The buyers who say they wouldn’t change a thing are driving their “ideal” vehicle.

First Off, I love the new Challenger. It’s truly a beautiful machine. Also, I’m a HUGE Mopar guy – My father and grandfather have owned hundreds of classic mopars over the years (challengers, cudas, road runners, chargers, darts, etc) I owned 2 challengers when I was a teenager. That said, I’m also a pragmatist. When I make a purchase that amounts to double digit percentages of my annual income, I do my due diligence and consider my options. The problem with the Challenger is not a matter of design or engineering. It’s not even marketing. It’s pricing. The challenger is priced to be competitive with the charger. In terms of bang for your buck, the mustang edges out the challenger my a small margin (I admit a small margin despite my strong bias for Mopar and a strong bias against Ford, so its probably not such a small margin) and the new Camaro just decimates the Challenger in terms of bang for your buck. The base model Camaro can be had for $25K – reasonably equipped, and in terms of power to weight and features, it competes with the Challenger R/T which runs you $32K reasonably equipped. An extra $7K for a prettier car by my preferred American automaker is a pretty tough sell to the wife. If you want the Challenger to stay competitive, price it competitively according to your competitor’s products. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to have a manual transmission available on the base model (along with more power on the base model – 250hp just isn’t enough to move a 2 ton car at a respectable rate) and a drop top would be the icing on the cake. Finally, be aware that in light of the past few months of bankruptcy scares and taking MY tax money cover Chrysler’s mismanagement, many Americans find themselves with conflicted or downright negative feelings when it comes to certain automakers. The days of relying on ‘customer loyalty’ have come and gone. Money it tight for everyone and we are all going to try to make purchasing decisions that get us the most for our money. As such it wouldn’t hurt to consider the rest of the competition on the market, like little Asian firms such as Toyota and even Hyundai. I want the Challenger to succeed. However, myopic management seems to be determined to drive the Challenger and Mopar into the ground. I want to own one, but I need that purchase to make sense beyond my own emotionally driven desires. Right now it just doesn’t. I am not alone in this thinking.

Well Moparornocar I sort of agree but when it comes to selling cars it’s all about perseption. The fickle American car buyer is impossible to keep ahead of. If a certain magazine that tests toilet seats one issue then toasters the next says what car’s you should buy, then people like turkey’s with hoop’s through their nose’s march right down to those dealer’s and buy them. Four or five grand isn’t going to persuade me to march into a brand x dealer and but their offerings. On a personal level color is a major issue with me. I’m waiting for more of the heritage colors to come out. I don’t understand why their so slow. I’m willing to pay extra for the color I want. The only thing this delay is causing me to do is save more down payment.

” The fickle American car buyer is impossible to keep ahead of. If a certain magazine that tests toilet seats one issue then toasters the next says what cars you should buy, then people like turkeys with hoops through their noses march right down to those dealers and buy them.”
That’s the sort of ‘witch doctor mysticism’ mentality that gets a lot of sales and marketing guys in trouble. I will be the first to admit that there are a lot of stupid people in the world and that there are customers that make large purchase decisions without due consideration of their options. That said, If you just assume that all of your customers are idiots and cross your fingers then your gambling more than selling. Now, if you consider the purchase of your products from the perspective of a savvy customer and then make your product the very best option for your target customer, then you get the customers who do their homework, the customers who listen to the people who do their homework on top of the random sampling of turkeys that you were going to get one way or the other. That’s that how you run a business that doesn’t need to ask for hand-outs from the government.

I drove my silver 08 chally the other day. It is a little over a year old and it still stops traffic and causes near accidents with all the rubber necking………

I agree the Camaro and the Mustang are allot of bang for the buck but the Chally has some great advantages that need to be addressed (ie: better ride,can really seat 4 people with their baggage) and the styling that is truly world class and brings the world to a stop. If you put all three cars together a public gathering and have a poll with people walking to the car,nearly every one will go to the Chally…

Chrysler can address the power issue easy,the KR filter system that you see in car mags. Put it on the chally,that adds about 20hp to the hemi (ie: 425hp goes to 445hp).

Also,the Chally SRT8 got a allot good press. In CAR AND DRIVER (it was either the April or May 09 edition). They wrote one of the bluntest but best reviews for the Chally SRT8,”Dodge Challenger SRT8- 425 hp- Like a night out with a Bangkok Hooker.”

A Dodge need to do a better job of tell the Chally SRT8 story-American styling,American comfort with the power to take what can the world auto industry deals out and look good doing it!!!!!

Love the car, need a convertible. Dodge need to make this in a convertible to complete
I wanted two was told no way. What happen to what the customer wants. Ford chev is paying attention.
Stop the bidding on a car, dealer need to go back to sticker, not make offer over the sticker. Almost bought a SKY till

The sad reality about the buying public is that the majority of people are “not” car enthusiasts. They look at a vehicle purchase the same way as they would when they buy a toaster. They just want the best deal and don’t even nessisarily even know what they are buying. To these people a car is just an A to B appliance and you would be really surprised to learn that many couldn’t change a tire or check the oil if their life depended on it. The sad reality of it is this is becoming more and more the case.
Anybody who knows anything about cars would never follow any of those so called “consumer guides” for buying a vehicle. If you have see the way this stuff is rated you would know it is only based on the opinion of the general populous. Replacement of brake pads (which is normal maintenance for our car guys) is seen as a problem area and counts towards the overall report.
I’ve driven an SRT8 Challenger and have been the passenger in one, and I can tell you any car guy could’nt deny what this thing was build for and what it represents. Its a pure high performance rocket. I’ve never experienced the acceleration, handling, and braking to this caliber before. Its a perfect combo of power and package. Always turns heads. Truly amazing, would’nt change a thing.
A buddy of mine has the 2008 SRT8, whenever he drops buy he lets me take the car for a blast. One day I decided to take my wife for a run in it. She’s not really a car person but goes along with it because she knows how much I love it. In the past I told her how much he paid for it and her jaw dropped and could’nt believe how anybody could spend that much money on a car.
After I took her for a ride she understood.
She actually exclaimed to me after she got out of the car, “That car is worth every penny he paid for it!” She later revealed to me that she had the wind knocked out of her (lost her breath)at one time when I had hit the gas hard.
True story.
That machine is everything a car guy could have hoped for. I just have one warning about this car. If you can’t afford to buy it, don’t test drive it, don’t even stop by the dealership to look at it. Because you will drive yourself crazy trying to figure out ways to buy this thing. You’ll lose sleep, check the budget over 10 times, count your pennies, and think about nothing but.

just got off the phone with Bob Frederick and I have some great news. Bob will be selling lots of Challengers again at New Wilmington Motors in New Wilmington, PA (about 20 miles from his former dealership). He will be facilitating the sales of Challengers at the dealership. The owner, Jeff Huey, was Bobs former GM who left Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge five years ago to open his own dealership.

This made my day for sure because I held off purchasing a Challenger with the hope that I could order mine from Bob! But more importantly, Bob gets to do what he loves to do.

Bob said that he will be up and running within the next few days.

I make a bet that New Wilmington Motors becomes the number one Challenger Dealership in the world.

HEMIhead,
You are 100% right. It was hard to justify buying this car in these economic times. But that black and chrome in the dealer showroom, just couldn’t get it out of mind. I even had to rent a garage to store it in. This car to me is like Chip Foose built me my dream car. It turns heads like you wouldn’t believe. The thing that amazes me most,there is an incredible interest from all ages. The kids love it, and us old guys can’t believe how well the classic was reinvented. The other day I returned a movie at Blockbuster, and there were 3 young guys walking towards the car when I came out. My wife’s uncle(retired) practically begged me to see the car and take him for a ride when he found out I had one. The expression on his face was priceless when I nailed second and third.
There are no frills on this car, basic R/T with 6-speed and 20″ wheels.(Old school all the way) Sirius radio, but I’d rather listen to the Hemi rumble. I am really starting to like the silver hood to fender stripes, I am glad I left them on. Sometimes I drive all week, 50 plus miles a day, and I don’t see any Challengers.
I plan on taking it to a Cruise Night on
Aug. 1 with my 24 year old son. Can’t wait!

The New Dodge doesn’t deserve to have Bob working for the company. I feel bad for his employees, customers, and the investment he had in the business. Nonetheless, hope to see you back on this site soon, Bob!

I love my 08 SRT 8 but, would trade it in a minute if you came out with a “Plum Crazy” convertible. Chrysler needs wake up before the General & ford walk away with it! What happened to the Yellow Spring edition? I see camaros on all the ads on TV but don’t see any Challengers, what are you hinding them from? They are the Best looking car on the road! I also had my wife talked in to a second one to replace her Pontiac, but she only wants a V6. since she does 80 miles a day, well since she can’t get the Se with radio controls and u-con with Nav. she said “no thanks” Why can’t we get it the way we want it and save my more expensive SRT 8 for the Sunday Driver. I also did the SRT experiance and loved it! Chrysler don’t let Japannese auto makers & the GM. beat you out again, give us what we want!

Make all the Challengers in the High Impact paint colors all of the time. Yes, all of the time whether they are an SE or an SRT. Sublime, Plum Crazy, Petty Blue, Detonator Yellow should be optional colors at all times. Lets see the R/T Classics in those colors as well. Drop your marketing concepts that ran you to bankruptcy. Offer all the Challengers in all of these colors because everyone can’t afford a car all in the same year. Thanks and listen to your customers this time.

Unfortunately, Mike Acceviti is now the Dodge president. He was formally marketing dir. of Dodge…and look how well the marketing of the Challenger is going! Not!
I agree with the other posts. Let the customer have the colors and options they want! Build a rag-top.(I do not mean the extra 16 grand chop-shop conversion at coaches ltd). IMO, I don’t think chrysler/dodge really know what they are doing as far as marketing, and branding.
The 4 door charger dodge insists on building is another lost opportunity. Other than state troopers, most people want the coupe….not the sedan!
What’s the use….

For those wanting to contact Bob Frederick here is some information on him and the dealership he now works for. I just sent Bob a depoist check for a 2010 Challnger R/T Classic. Maybe this time around my order will get built and delivered.

Bob’s contact info is:
Email: stpcharger@zoominternet.net
Cell: (330)550-5432
Mailing Address: Bob Frederick 6931 Summit Dr. Canfield, Ohio 44406
Note from Bob: “Please email me directly or call my cell because I will *not* be at the dealership except to inspect each car as it arrives from the factory, and to deliver each car with the customer.”

Can you offer the interiors in black or a darker gray so it looks racier? I know you offered it in the Charger R/T R/T’s which is kind of a poorly named option that is a Daytona without the flat black decal on the hood.

Hello all,
Hope you are enjoying your challengers.
I was wondering if anyone has had trouble with their new challengers? I went to take a drive tonight, and the engine is shaking and feels like it has dropped a cylinder or two. The check engine light is on. I’ve heard of a few of the six speed SRT8″s doing this, but mine is a six speed R/T. I will get it to the dealer A.S.A.P, but was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem?

Most often, the ‘check engine’ light is a pollution control problem. The code reader is a great tool to have in your toolbox.
I have not had any trouble with my 6-speed R/T, but only have 389 miles on it.
My 5.7 HEMI in my 2005 RAM 1500, had the EGR valve go bad. Kept shutting off.
Hope it’s not serious,let us know what it is.